Portrait Project

Portrait Project

Michelle Henry

MBA 2018

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

On day 34 of not eating, I stopped being hungry. It was a Friday night in March 2014, and the smell of pizza filled the house. My parents scarfed down slices as quickly as they could, hiding from me.

I breathed in the pepperoni-scented air, waiting for my mouth to water... but... nothing happened.

Dragging my IV pole into the kitchen, I slapped the bag of nutrients that was pumping ‘dinner’ into my arm. “This bad boy is tastier than pizza!” Guilty faces cracked into laughter as my parents scooted over so I could finally join them.

Every day after that, I binge-watched Man v. Food and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Watching Adam Richman take down 18 cheeseburgers in an hour or Guy Fieri moan over a bite of apple pie gave me such joy. If I couldn’t eat, I was giddy to know someone else was out there getting fat and full.

When I could eat again, three months later, that first nibble wasn’t nearly as satisfying as enjoying others’ contentment.

With this one wild and precious life, I will strive to make the people around me feel full — of happiness, hope, passion, and, of course, apple pie.

— Michelle Henry

The Portrait Project

Each year we ask our classmates a straightforward, simple question taken from the lines of a poem by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Mary Oliver.
We share with you intimate and candid responses to this question, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"